Troubled families need real therapy, not yet another keyworker

Cameron

rescue plan for struggling families themselves is everyone talks and no action

David Cameron family problems

initiative is a triumph and an embarrassment. A triumph of rhetoric, because it indicates that the government is the recognition that the problem of people in our prisons and drug rehabilitation begins at home. Too bad, because it is more than rhetoric.

The program aims to save more than 120,000 families antisocial themselves, the delivery of a worker per family to help them through the maze of agencies available in the form of an action plan includes "the basic things, practices that are the basic components of a house orderly and responsible lives ... as having children at school on time. "

Once again members of the ruling class looked back to his own childhood comfort, love and wonder how they can make the thugs, well, others like them. When Louise Casey was appointed head of the unit of struggling families, who issued a statement in reference to his "experience" in this area, but I find no indication of any experience that the woman dubbed the Queen is ASBO in therapy or sexual violence or exclusion of mental health or child.

Therefore, a career officer with a punitive approach has been mandated to tell families what to do. And if they do not share your vision? This will be punished. Municipalities have the power to expel, remove children and give ASBO if families are not "volunteers" to help

These families have many contacts with the police and social workers. They have learned that honesty is the best policy, because they are familiar with the punitive nature of the existing system. Discuss any real dark secrets and your children may be ignored or family members in prison.

• forgiveness and love support comes from the long-term family therapy, which takes years and recognizes that some families can not be repaired. How the worker is more than one agency, especially when Casey insists he wants a rapid and measurable -. Before she will give money
What about money? Local authorities will have to find £ 675m over the next three years, at a time when they are forced to reduce budgets. If they meet the measurable goals and demanding Casey, then they will be rewarded with another £ 448m from central government. Even if the local funding for the management of the entire system, there is only one social worker 10 "problem families".

instead of short-term objectives and regulations established in the comfortable world of Westminster, the government should fund appropriate consultation with their own families and people working on the front. No family wants to be dysfunctional. Community consultation responsive and family that help define the type of help is really needed. This ground-up approach is the first element in the change of life in the long run.

For families with their "problem solver" clean is another social worker, one day. Have long been involved with the agencies and we will make no difference. Get your children to school time, although ticks some boxes, do nothing to solve the underlying problems of mental and physical health, abuse, addiction and poverty.

is time to ask why there are at least 15 agencies dealing with families in difficulty, but none is total commitment to service users. The appointment of new key staff recognizes that - and does nothing to change